U.S. Department of JusticeA. Brian Albritton, United States Attorney Middle District of Florida

United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton announces the return of an indictment, by a federal grand jury, charging Larry Wayne "Swede" Anderson (age 65, of Minneola) with 12 counts of making material false statements to federal agents. If convicted on all counts, Anderson faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in federal prison.

Anderson was arrested this morning in El Paso, Texas, and he will have his initial appearance this afternoon.

According to the indictment, Anderson, who currently is employed by Caddel Construction Company, served as the Deputy Project Manager for the construction of the new United States Embassy in Beijing, China. Due to his security clearances, Anderson had an affirmative duty to disclose any significant or intimate relationships he had with Chinese nationals while he was working on the embassy.

The indictment alleges that, on twelve occasions, Anderson represented that he had not had intimate relationships with two Chinese females, when in fact those relationships had existed.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Russell C. Stoddard.